Monkey Knife Fight Latest DFS Operator to Leave Michigan Amid Fantasy Law Changes
Gregory Shamus/Getty Images. Pictured: Ford Field in Detroit.
Monkey Knife Fight is the latest daily fantasy sports operator to exit Michigan, amid changes to the state’s fantasy sports law.
Monkey Knife Fight, one of North America’s largest DFS operators, will “no longer accept deposits from, or offer contests to, users in Michigan” starting Wednesday, according to emails sent to customers Monday night.
Contest entries scheduled to start on or after Wednesday will be canceled and entry fees refunded, the company said. Live contests will be completed and users can withdraw their funds.
Monkey Knife Fight, one of North America's largest daily fantasy sports operators, is leaving Michigan, effective Wednesday (h/t @cowhitchurch) pic.twitter.com/U9W7duRES7
— Sam McQuillan (@sam_mcquill) August 9, 2022
It’s the second operator to leave the state amid Michigan’s recent Fantasy Contest Consumer Protection Act, which created DFS licensing requirements, codified by the Michigan Gaming Control Board in May.
DFS companies that existed before May 2018 may continue operating, as long as they applied for a license by July 2022.
Underdog Fantasy left the state in June, though it’s expected to reenter once it’s approved for a license.
FanDuel, DraftKings, PrizePicks and seven others are registered with the MGCB, which may issue licenses once the legislature approves regulations.
Monkey Knife Fight was acquired by Bally’s Corporation in 2021 for $90 million in stock. A spokesperson with Bally's did not immediately respond to request for comment.
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